University of Iowa, College of Engineering

We’re searching for a dedicated and experienced leader

The Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering is a vibrant, collegial, research-active department with an established reputation for research innovation in the areas of biological systems, biomechanics, biomaterials, cardiovascular and pulmonary mechanics, cellular engineering, bioimaging, and computational bioengineering. We are looking for a visionary Department Executive Officer (DEO; Department Chair), starting the fall semester of 2023, to build on the department’s tradition of excellence. This position offers an exciting opportunity to make major contributions to the field of biomedical engineering and to provide strategic leadership for the department’s education, research, and service activities. Review of applications will begin in early December; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

What we’re about

The Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the University of Iowa is one of six academic units housed within the College of Engineering (CoE). The permanent faculty of the department includes 17 tenured/tenure track faculty and 3 instructional track faculty. There are approximately 350 undergraduate students, 50 funded graduate Ph.D. students, and a diverse team of master’s students, postdoctoral researchers, professional and administrative staff. Strengths of the department include a large undergraduate and graduate program, a history of successful collaboration with a tertiary teaching hospital and College of Medicine, and the Roy J. Carver endowment to support graduate students, development of laboratory space and faculty. The department has varied funding sources through the NSF, DoD, NIH, foundations, and corporate entities in research grants and contracts. Departmental faculty enjoy strong collaborative relationships with colleges across campus, including the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Liberal Arts and Sciences, as well as strong industrial and government research collaborations. Our faculty are integrated into several interdisciplinary research centers, particularly the Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Iowa Institute for Human Genetics, the Institute for Vision Research, the Iowa Technology Institute, the Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, the Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Iowa Institute for Hydraulic Research – Hydroscience and Engineering, and the Iowa Institute for Biomedical Imaging. Further information about the department can be found at: https://bme.engineering.uiowa.edu/ .

The University of Iowa’s status as a premier research university depends on the robust exchange of ideas. The university understands the link between diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and excellence in education. We embrace our shared responsibility to create a welcoming and inclusive campus culture so that all community members can unlock their own potential. Faculty in the College of Engineering contribute to DEI by designing curricula, research programs, and engagement opportunities that challenge the status quo, cultivate empathy, seek out diverse perspectives, and value global citizenship. To learn more, visit https://diversity.uiowa.edu/ .

The University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, a Midwestern college town with modest cost of living, an excellent public school system, excellent healthcare with a world-class teaching hospital, and superior venues for the performing arts (http://www.thinkiowacity.org ). The University of Iowa is committed to recruiting and retaining the most talented and diverse faculty and staff, which includes providing opportunities for employees to “Build a Career | Build a Life.”  The University offers several benefits to support faculty and their families in achieving a healthy work/life balance. For more information, please visit: http://worklife.uiowa.edu .

How you’ll make a difference

The College of Engineering at Iowa is part of a large, public research university. This collaborative environment is an excellent place to push breakthrough ideas that cross boundaries and challenge assumptions. The highly motivated faculty are engaged in all elements of teaching, research, and service and are excited to move forward together.

The DEO reports directly to the Dean of the College and is a tenured full professor charged with providing strategic and operational leadership that promotes excellence in the faculty missions of research, education, and service. This charge includes working with faculty to develop the department’s vision and execute the department’s strategic plan. The DEO also provides leadership in the areas of faculty recruitment, development, and retention, mentoring of junior faculty, overall quality improvement, and budget management. 

The DEO works collaboratively with the Dean, Associate Deans, other DEOs, faculty, program directors, and staff to advance education, scholarship, and service in a culture that promotes participation, collegiality, professionalism, and excellence. The DEO leads innovation in curriculum and educational programs, promotes research, and oversees service in a manner that meets program goals and supports the vision, mission and strategic plan of the department, college, and university. The DEO also serves as an important communication link between the department and other units of the college and university.  

Our next DEO steps into an exciting time of change in the college, with a new financial management plan, and unbridled opportunities to collaborate with our colleagues in our research centers, liberal arts, and medicine. Candidates should have the ability to engage our faculty and students in a vision for the department’s future that takes advantage of our many opportunities. Our college looks forward to growing over the next couple years through our substantial strategic hiring initiative .

Discover more

About the Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering: https://bme.engineering.uiowa.edu/

See what the department looks like today and learn about the faculty and current research activities.

About the College of Engineering:  https://engineering.uiowa.edu/

See what makes CoE stand out from the rest.

About the University of Iowa:  https://uiowa.edu/about-iowa

Learn more about one of the nation’s premier public research institutions.

About Iowa City:  http://www.thinkiowacity.org/

Food, nightlife, music, culture, art, recreation, and that Midwestern welcoming you’ve heard about.

You will be asked to upload a curriculum vitae (CV) and a letter outlining your interest in and vision for the position, attributes and relevant experience that make you suited for this position. Clear evidence of research experience, teaching, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion can be represented in the cover letter, CV, or separate documents.

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preferences, or any other classification that deprives the person of consideration as an individual.

Questions may be addressed to the search committee at:

Professor Terry Braun, Ph. D.

terry-braun@uiowa.edu

+1-319-335-6285

Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering

University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

A Ph. D. in Engineering with an active and successful research program in Biomedical Engineering, or related field. 

We are looking for a leader that understands the mission of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and works with faculty and staff to promote that mission. The successful candidate will:

• Possess a strong scholarly and teaching record that merits an appointment to Full Professor at the University of Iowa;


• Possess a vision for the department to lead within the changing environment of new technologies, translational research and funding;


• Possess demonstrated leadership in advancing a vision of inclusiveness and collegiality;


• Demonstrate scholarly relevancy in the field of biomedical engineering;


• Possess excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills that promote transparency, respect, effective problem resolution, and ethical decision-making;


• Be committed to working with and mentoring diverse faculty, staff, and students;


• Be committed to shared governance and the promotion of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive academic environment.

• Evidence of innovative and visionary leadership for growth of the department leading to new discoveries, development of new technologies, and inventions;


• Potential to strengthen the research profile of the department through aligned or complimentary research activity;


• Demonstrated experience building partnerships across academic disciplines;


• Ability to recruit, develop, and retain productive and diverse faculty, support and promote excellence in faculty research to support high-impact publications and grants and educational endeavors, encourage and guide mentorship of faculty, conduct assessments of faculty and staff;


• Potential to foster a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive learning and research environment for faculty, staff, and students;


• Ability to negotiate and work collaboratively and effectively with multiple stakeholders to develop and execute the department’s vision and strategic plan, integrate the department’s vision, plan, and goals with those of the college and university, and promote the department by engaging alumni, industrial representatives, and the broader community;


• Record of active scholarship portfolio, including external funding and peer-reviewed publications.

To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.